Malbone Francis Watson (1836-1891) was born in Catskill, Greene County, New York. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1856 and graduated 25th out of 45 members of the Class of 1861. This image was created circa the 1860s.

Editor’s note: Part 8 of this series was mistakenly published yesterday, and can be accessed by clicking here.

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon is our host for a series on members of the West Point Class of 1861 who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. With the coming of the Civil War, the academy had two classes graduating that year because the original class of 1862 petitioned to graduate a year early. So the original class of 1861 graduated in May, 1861. The original class of 1862 graduated in June, 1861. We will refer to them throughout the series as the May and June classes. Christina has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 2008.

In the first West Point Class of 1861 post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon discusses the life of May, 1861 graduate Adelbert Ames who commanded a brigade and a division in the Eleventh Corps. At Gettysburg, Ames’ Brigade had 1337 engaged and suffered 778 casualties (68 killed, 366 wounded, and 344 captured) for a total percentage loss of 58.2%.

In today’s West Point Class of 1861 presentation, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon provides some background on Malbone Francis Watson, who commanded Battery I, 5th United States Artillery until he was wounded on July 2, 1863.

This map shows the location of where our West Point Class of 1861 at Gettysburg videos were produced. Videos #1-#20 were shown in our previous posts. Videos #21 and #22 were on the western slope of Cemetery Ridge at the marker for Battery I, 5th United States Artillery. Video #23 was taken near the Taneytown Road and the Jacob Weikert Farm. This map was created facing north at approximately 3:00 PM on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon is the host for our series on West Point’s Class of 1861. She is standing on the west slope of Cemetery Ridge, near the marker to Battery I, 5th United States Artillery. The George Weikert Farm is in the right background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

In Video #21 (Videos #1-#20 were shown in our previous Class of 1861 posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon provides information on Malbone F. Watson before the Gettysburg Campaign. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

A closer view of the marker for Battery I, 5th United States Artillery. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon is contemplating exactly where Battery I, 5th United States was positioned before they were placed in this location. The George Weikert Farm is in the right background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

In Video #22 Licensed Battlefield Guide Christina Moon explains the activities of Battery I, 5th United States Artillery on July 2, 1863, including how their guns were captured and recaptured. This view was taken facing northeast to east to northwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

The marker commemorating the recapture of the guns of Battery I, 5th United States by the 39th New York Infantry Regiment is behind the marker for Watson’s Battery. Sherfy’s Peach Orchard (the Peach Orchard) is on top of the open ground in the left background. The buildings at the Trostle Farm are to the left of the marker. Plum Run, where the 21st Mississippi positioned itself to fire on Watson’s Battery is the area of trees and bushes below the Trostle Farm. This image was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

Christina Moon is standing along the Taneytown Road. The Jacob Weikert Farm is in the left background. A wounded Malbone F. Watson was placed on the porch of the Weikert House along with the bodies of Brigadier General Stephen Weed, Lieutenant Charles Hazlett, and Colonel Patrick O’Rorke. This image was taken facing northwest at approximately 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

In Video #23 Christina Moon explains that First Lieutenant Malbone F. Watson was taken to the Jacob Weikert Farm, and that his leg was amputated. She also explains Watson’s post-war career. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2012.

To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides,click here.